Should we stay or should we go?

[Escoguy]

Masayako, May I call you Mas? Today I have reached 20% of your current level, oh wait, it is now Monday, so I am now at 22% of your current level.

By the end of the year, surely will be closer to 30-40% as things go.

These dilemmas of where to live have haunted me for 20 years. So I left San Diego in 2003, went to Moscow/Siberia/Azerbaijan (five other counties before that). Many of my neighbors in Moscow would ask the same question “so if money is no object, where would you live?” Even during my time in Kuwait, my business partner whose father advised the Emir on energy told me “Everyone has an escape plan.” Other stories of the Emir are also interesting, as I knew one of his pilots. The pilot would complain that he only got to fly the entourage to Ethiopia for the vacation but not to France or the US as the jet he flew was a mid-range. Still each vacation would cost millions, so at a certain level I understand your dilemma.

Back in Russia, I always told them France or Germany, maybe Spain. I lied because I didn’t want San Diego flooded with Russian billionaires. One of Putin’s deputies had a mistress who lived across the street, nice lady but faced the same dilemma just like you and the Emir. I’m sure she overheard her lover and Vladimir P discussing where they wanted to live. These pesky sanctions in so many countries. San Diego isn’t even an option until shell companies and 45.

I wanted San Diego to stay cheap so I could buy up more with my relatively modest means to ensure my true chance of becoming the Amateur North County Property Oligarch. I had seen what had happened to the Bentley dealership in Baku selling out for 5 years in one week. I didn’t want the same here.

Rarely did any of my associates really enjoy spending money once they got above $50M (it was always keeping up the Romanovs) so I would encourage you to relax or get a second or third mistress so you can have real adventure in your life and appreciate your family at the same time.
Otherwise you will die with too much money. The other day, my wife was listening to the story of Rasputin and I walked in where he discovered he was impotent and cried. You do not want to be a tragic figure with wealth who did not live his life.

So true to form, many will misrepresent the truth about living here or plant false narratives so you will be convinced of the happiness of lower taxes and larger houses with higher humidity and mosquitoes. But these are truly trivial matters for a man of the world such as yourself. I am glad you have chosen the correct forum to get life changing advice as there are few places such as this with a true high level of insight.

[Coronita]

If you’re a car nut like me. You have no concept of USD. You count your money in per miata units…

For instance. Wow, that person is wealthy. He’s worth 841 miatas, 319 sets of 200 tread tires, and 350 corner balances.

I’m sure wine snobs can do the same measurements in bottles of wine.

[flyer]

OP, I also should have mentioned that there are many in CA and, specifically, in San Diego, in a similar financial position to yourself–so it’s not that rare anymore–just enjoy it!

[Coronita]

Yes, because flyer, obviously you need to keep reminding everyone about the money you inherited here, because you arent in the elon musk Billionaire club. Damn, cant fit get into the exclusive B clubs, got to stoop down to us mere plebians here in a free blog….Underachiever! No Hermes bag for you!

[zk]

[quote=sdrealtor]Its not as easy as buying a house in FLA and claiming residence there. I have many friends going through this right now. You NEED to spend at least 183 days per year in FLA to claim residency and document it with plane tickets and credit card charges proving you were there. You wanna be a FLA resident? You have to actually live there then[/quote]

I have a friend in the same boat. He lives in his house near Tahoe for summer (and surrounding months) and in his house in Encinitas the rest of the year. He likes it, but I think if he could find a way around it, he might occasionally take advantage of it. If anybody is aware of some kind of trick or loophole, I’d be interested to hear it.

[Coronita]

Sorry, i only know about the trick you can use to get around doing biannual smog inspections without using an out of state license plate. Im poor. I only know poor people tricks.

[masayako]

I don‘t think I have said anything ’trollish‘. If so, I apologize in advance.

[masayako]

Not much of a car nut. Alright, maybe a little. I have 4 cars, 2 of them I considered collectibles…

[masayako]

Thanks. I think the core of my question is: I find it so much more affordable outside of CA (Neveda, Colorado, Idaho, UT). I am seriously considered moving out because money seems to go further. I am not crazy enough to consider moving out of US for the sake of tax reasons, I just pond if moving out of CA is a wiser decision long term. Thoughts are welcome. It‘s a 5 yrs plan.

[masayako]

Funny, I did consider Tahoe (in NV). BUT, a BIG BUT, IRS is forcusing on folks living in that interesting zone because apparently, lots of well-off living in Tahoe (in NV side) and yet maintaining a business in CA. So, IRS is laser focus on those big houses there. I do not want to be on that list.

It‘s good until IRS have their eyes on them.

[masayako]

If it appears to be too much of a 1st world problem, I apologize. I have no intention to show off. I really want to know what people at this stage in life (in a similar situation) would do.

Back to the topic: That‘s my current thinking. Instead of having to pay $10m for my dream house, I can get a similar house outside of CA for $5m or even $3m. That’s the main trigger on why we are considering to move outside of CA. Property tax $100k vs $30k annually is a huge difference. Also, traffic in SD is getting worse and worse, I just want to live in a smaller city.

[masayako]

I appreciate your comment. It‘s not just money, but I have lived here half my life, I just visited the pacific northwest & kind of fall in love with it. I love the rains, the forrest and the outdoors there. Here are some Pros & Cons for staying in SD.

Pros:
1. Friends here
2. Kids already settled down
3. Some relatives here

Cons:
1. It gets too hot… no rain
2. Unfriendly business tax & laws (it looks like it will get worse)
3. Crazy housing price
4. Bad traffic
5. Too crowded

I am constantly thinking about this topic. During this Covid-19 pandemic, I guess I have lots of time to think about what I want to do next. Do I want to keep working? Do I want to spend more time with family? Where to go? Or stayput? Moving out of CA is something always in my mind. Hence, I bring it up here to discuss.

[flyer]

All good points, so it boils down to where you want to be, and only you can answer that question.

We also live in other places, but still keep our dream home here. Granted, if you waited to purchase your dream home or other properties until now, they, and taxes, are going to be a lot more expensive than they were in the past. Meeting the requirements to keep a tax base in another state or country is something you might want to investigate. There are (legal) ways to have the best of all worlds.

We also have lots of family here, kids, friends etc., and take care of several family members who need care, vs. placing them in facilities. We have them taken care of in the way we would want to be treated, and are glad to do it. A few hugs a day means more to them than any amount of money every could.

Even with the best diet, exercise and mental health aspects of life covered, when you see how life can change on a dime wrt one’s health, it’s clear that making the most of what you have each day is the best way to go, and I wish you the best in your quest.

[Coronita]

I had to look up what was all that fuss about the reference to the landing thr helicopter and Screaming Eagle. Holy shit. I thought folks were kidding this was a real thread.lol.

I plan on selling my house next month…I was planning to list it for $10million. But I’ll give a specisl pigg discount of $9.999999999999 meellion and we can skip the mls

You can even land a helicopter in the park nearby that is walking distant.

[Hobie]

[quote=gzz] Vegan Van Life [/quote]

Had no idea this was such a popular thing. I’d be shunned as I would have a smoking bbq going!

[Author]

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